Spring retaining means



1931- 17. H. SYMINGTON 1,818,362

' SPRING RETAINING MEANS Filed Aug. 9, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 11, 1931.

T. H. SYMINGTON SPRING RETAINING MEANS Fi led Aug. 9, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 also other considerations. In the present instance the groups or banks are designated by the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4:, 5 and 6, the first and last named being the uppermost and lowermost, respectively, and the others constituting the intermediate ones. The groups 1 and 2, and 5 and 6, are disclosed as having their convex sides adjacent whereas the groups 2 and 3, and 4 and 5, are represented as having their concave sides adjacent or opposed. Naturally, there is no limitation as to this exact arrangement, the illustration being for purposes of explanation only. While the springs are initially arcuate in shape, it will be apparent that the central portions thereof will develop fiat zones 7 when subjected to preliminary or minimum loads. The ends of the leaves are beveled or otherwise formed to provide flat lands 8 which will reduce the tendency of the plates or leaves to slip one upon another when initially piled. t

The means for maintaining the plates or leaves in the proper relation so that displacement or movement thereof in any direction other than longitudinally of the assembly will be prevented preferably comprises pin-like members 9 slidably engaged through registering holes 10 in the central or flat zone portions of the plates or leaves. In the present instance four of such pin members are shown though it should be understood that any desired number may be employed. The preferred arrangement is that the diagonally opposite pins havetheir heads 11 located above the uppermost group or bank 1, the other diagonal pin members having their heads 12 located beneath the lowermost bank or group 6. All the pin members have their ends preferably tapered as indicated at 13 to facilitate insertion through the holes 10 and to prevent hanging on the edges of the openings upon compression of the plates or leaves. Clearly, the pin members must be of considerably less length than the total length of the assembly so as not to'interfere with the compression thereof under load.

-While it is conceivable that any suitable retaining or confining means may be provided for the endmost groups 1 and 6 so that all the groups will be held in proper relation, I have disclosed, for purposes of illustration, upper and lower pan-like casing members 1 1 and 15, respectively, here represented as having prolonged end portions 16 formed with slots 17 within which are engaged the hooked ends 18 of connecting links 19. Originally, the links are not necessarily hooked as they are probably peened over after installation, this action causing flexing thereof into engagement with the ends of the springs. The links act to limit outward movement of the pan members with respect to each other while permitting movement thereof toward each other under compression of the springs. Of course, any equivalent means may be provided instead of this specific structure.

Located in the corners of the retaining or confining casings or pan members are correspondingly shaped wear plates or shims 20 engaged by the edges of the uppermost and lowermost ones of the leaf springs. These members prevent wear on the retaining casings or pan members and are not only renewable when worn but replaceable by others of greater thickness when it is necessary to take up any lost elasticity in the springs. It might be mentioned, in passing, that the pan members may be formed or otherwise provided with projections 21 adapted to engage within recesses in the side frame or contacting part for the purpose of preventing displacement of the entire assembly with respect to the side frames. WVhen the elements are assembled in the relation. shown or in any other preferred arrangement, it is clear that the heads 12 of the members 20 it is clear that the springs cannot be flexed downwardly to an excessive extent, that is to say, they cannot be reversely flexed. The heads 11 of the other pins coact with the upper pan member in a similar manner. I i

In Figures 4, 5 and GI have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention though the main characteristics are substantially the same. Referring to these figures in detail, the numerals 1 2, 3 4, 5 and 6 designate banks or groups of leaf springs which may be arranged in the same manner as above described with the endmost banks or groups confined or retained within pan or casing members 145 and-15 connected by links 19 having hooked ends 18 engaging within slots 17 in the end extensions 16 of the pan members in exactly the same manner as in the first described form of the invention. However, in this modification the pin members 9 are not located near the central areas or the contacting portions of the plate or leaf springs but are arranged to pass through holes 10 near the corners thereof. The heads 11 and 12 of these pin members coact with the upper and lower pan or casing members but in view of the fact that these heads are remote from the central portions of the pan members in order to prevent over-flexing or reverse flexing of the springs under maximum compression it becomes necessary to provide some definite means which will take the place of the engagement of the pin heads with the pan members as above described. In carrying out this feature I have found it convenient to form the pan memhers Teach with :a series of spaced cor'r-u gations 22 which project inwardly to an extent approximate y equal to the thickness of the heads of the pins.

While different reference characters are applied to the upper. and lower pan members and the adjacent pin heads, it should be understood that this is merely for the sake of clearness as the construction may be identical at the top and bottom, the assembly being consequently reversible so that either end may be the top when the assembly is installed within the window opening of a truck side frame or in any other place where its use is desired.

In the operation, it is of course apparent that when a load comes upon the springs they will be compressed in an obvious manner so as to provide the desired and necessary resilience. The flat lands above mentioned are simply for the purpose of tending. to reduce likelihood of slipping of any of the plates when initially piled and prior to the insertion of the pin members. Obviously, when the pin members 9 or 9 are inserted through the holes 10 or 10 in the various groups or banks of spring plates or leaves and the pan or casing members 14 or 15, or 1'4: and 15, or their equivalent, are applied and connected, displacement of any of the individual plates or leaves or groups thereof in any lateral direction will be entirely prevented, all movement being limited to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the assembly. As the adjacent pin members are inserted from opposite sides of the assembly, or as diagonally opposite ones are inserted from the same side, it is clear that there will always be a positive engagement of the pin members with the spring plates or leaves regardless of the extent of compression thereof. The intermediate groups or banks cannot become displaced with respect to the endmost ones owing to the presence of the pins and the endmost groups cannot shift out of :position as they are confined within the pan or casing members.

As assembly of springs constructed or arranged and assembled as shown and described may be easily handled as a unit and installed wherever use is desired. Owing to the provision of the connecting means for the pan elements or casing members all the parts are held assembled without the employment of any additional or extraneous securing ineans. A feature to be noted in the first form of the invention is that the holes for the passage or reception of the pin members fall within the fiat zone instituted by preliminary or light loads. This being the case, there is no change of stress within. this zone and the reduction of area caused by forming the holes will not affect the strength even though the holes are symmetrically arranged about the center line of It is really believed thatxthe' construction, operation and advantages will each plate.

be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of the inventionembodying a certain arrangement of springs and other elements, it should be understood that this disclosure is merely an eXemplification of the principles involved inasmuch as the right is reserved to make all such changes andmodifications in the details as will widen the field of utility or increase the adaptability of the device, provided such variations constitute no departure from the means therefor passing theretln'ou-gh, certain of the guide means extending from one side and the others extending from the other side.

4. In a spring'assembly, a series of groups of plate springs, confining means for the endmost groups, and guide and centering means extending through the outermost banks or groups and through certain of the intermediate groups. a I

5. In a spring-assembly, a-series of groups of plate orleaf springs, confining means for the outermost groups, means for connecting said confining means for limitingseparating movement thereof, and 'a plurality ofguide and centering members, the plates in all the groups being provided with registering holes for the accommodation and passage of said guide and centering members.

6. In a spring assembly, aseries of groups of plate or leaf springs, confining means for the outermost groups, means for connecting said confiningmeans for limiting separating movement thereof, and a plurality of guide and centering members, the plates in all they groups being provided with registering holes for the accommodation and passage of said guide and centering members, certain'of said guide and centering members entering the series through one endmost group and the others entering theserie's through the other endmost-group.

7. Inza spring assembly, a series of groups spirit of the inventionor the scope of the of plate or leaf springs formed with regis tering holes, connected confining means for the outermost groups, guide and centering with registering holes, and guide and centering pins alternate ones of whichextend through each endmost group and certain of the intermediate groups.

9. In a spring assembly, a plurality of groups of plate or leaf springs, connected confining means for the outermost groups, the plates of all the groups being formed with registering holes, guide and centering pins alternate ones of which extend through each endmost group and certain of the intermediate groups, the pin members being provided with heads outwardly of the outermost groups, and said confining means being formed to coact with said heads.

10. In a spring assembly, a plurality of groups of spring plates, the contacting end portions of the plates being beveled to define flat lands providing areas of engagement.

11. In a spring assembly, a plurality of groups of plate or leaf springs, connected confining means for the outermost groups, the plates of all the groups being formed with registering holes, cooperating with guide and centering pins, said pins having alternately overlapping end projections.

12. In a spring assembly, a plurality of groups of plate or leaf springs, connected confining means for the outermost groups, the plates of all the groups being formed with holes, said holes being concentric with cooperating guide and centering pins, said pins being shorter in length than the distance between the planes of the outermost groups of springs.

13. Ina spring assembly, a plurality of groups of plate or leaf springs, connected confining means preventing outward movement beyond a free position of leaf springs and permitting full closure of the leaf springs, said spring plates being provided with holes cooperating wi h guide or centering pins maintaining alinement of re spective groups of plate springs.

14. In a spring assembly, a plurality of groups of leaf springs, confining parts containing a means for the prevention of reverse fiecture of spring plates, said plates having a plurality of holes cooperating with a plurality of guide or centering pins, there being relative movement between guide pins and spring plates when closure of the platesof the. plate under constant stress after initial load, connected. confining means for the outermost groups, guide and centering members passing through the holes in one outermost group and through the holes in certain of the intermediate groups, and other guide and centering members passing through the holes in the other endmost group and through the holes in certain of the intermediate groups.

in a spring assembly, a series of banks of plate or leaf springs formed with registering holes, said holes located so as to forma uniform stress beam of each spring plate, connected confining means for the outermost groups, guide and centering members passing through the holes in one outermost group and through the holes in certain of the intermediate groups, and other guide and centering members passing through the holes in the other endmost group and through the holes in certain of the intermediate groups.

17. In a spring assembly, a series of groups of plate springs, a plurality of combined guide and centering members passing therethrough at points spaced from the cen ter, alternate ones of said guide and cen-. tering members extending "into the assembly from opposite sides thereof, and counterpart confining means for the end groups.

18. In a spring assembly, a series of groups of plate springs, and a plurality of combined guide and centering members passing theret-hrough at points spaced from the center, alternate ones of said guide and centering members extending into the assembly from opposite sides thereof, and movably connected retaining members located outwardly of said guide and centering members and separate therefrom.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS H. SYMINGTON. 

